![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://arclantic.com/future/nasas-live-coverage-of-crew-9s-return-to-earth/&media=https://aen-media-storage-cms-ind-production.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/offload/2025/03/19112948/NASAs-Live-Coverage-of-Crew-9s-Return-to-Earth.png&description=The Two stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are set to return to Earth on Tuesday evening a day earlier than the previously reported schedule, said NASA citing "favourable conditions".){kind=link}
The Two stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are set to return to Earth on Tuesday evening a day earlier than the previously reported schedule, said NASA citing “favourable conditions”.
“NASA and SpaceX met to assess weather and splashdown conditions off Florida’s coast for the return of the agency’s Crew-9 mission from the International Space Station. Mission managers are targeting an earlier Crew-9 return opportunity based on favorable conditions forecasted for the evening of Tuesday, March 18,” said the space agency in an official statement.
A SpaceX Crew Dragon craft, which reached the ISS on Sunday, will transport the two astronauts stuck in space for over nine months along with another American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut back home.
Williams and Wilmore have remained on the ISS since June after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft encountered propulsion problems during its first crewed test flight, making it unsuitable for their return journey.
On Sunday evening, Nasa announced the revised timing for the astronauts’ ocean splashdown near Florida’s coast to approximately 5.57 pm Tuesday (2157 GMT), preponed from the initial Wednesday schedule. “The updated return target continues to allow the space station crew members time to complete handover duties while providing operational flexibility ahead of less favorable weather conditions expected for later in the week,” added Nasa to its statement while announcing that they will show the return of the Crew-9 live and have shared the updated schedule on its website.
The Dragon capsule will also carry NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The return journey’s live broadcast will begin on Monday evening with hatch closure preparations.
The Extended Stay of Nine Months…
For Wilmore and Williams, this concludes an unexpected nine-month stay, originally planned as a brief roundtrip mission. They first arrived at the ISS in June 2024 using Boeing’s Starliner vessel, with plans for a seven-day mission. However, technical difficulties with the Starliner, including problems with its propulsion system and helium leakages, compelled NASA to send the spacecraft back to Earth without CREW in September. As a result, the astronauts’ duration of stay at the station became uncertain.
Their extended stay exceeded the typical ISS rotation period of about six months. The unplanned extension of their mission, which required additional supplies of clothing and personal items, has drawn public attention and sympathy for their unplanned separation from family.
Welcome home, Sunita Williams! & Butch Wilmore
Early Sunday morning, a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule had successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS), bringing four new astronauts aboard as part of NASA’s Crew-10 mission. While this routine crew rotation ensures the continued operation of the ISS, it also marks a long-awaited first step toward bringing home two astronauts who have been stuck in space far longer than expected—Butch Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams.
Originally scheduled for a much shorter stay, Williams and Wilmore have now spent nine months aboard the ISS due to unforeseen technical delays. Their extended mission became a pressing priority after President Donald Trump took office in January, with NASA ramping up efforts to ensure their safe return.
Throughout this unexpected journey, Sunita Williams has demonstrated unwavering resilience and leadership. Despite the prolonged mission, she has continued to contribute significantly to space research, leading critical scientific experiments and participating in multiple spacewalks. Her ability to adapt to challenges and take on leadership roles in demanding circumstances has cemented her reputation as one of NASA’s most respected astronauts.
Sunita William’s Journey
Her journey is an inspiration to many. While the world awaits the touchdown of Sunita Williams back on Earth, let us look at her impressive career curve.
Born on September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, Sunita Williams was raised by her parents, Dr. Deepak and Bonnie Pandya. From an early age, she exhibited a strong drive for learning and adventure, qualities that would later define her groundbreaking career in space exploration.
Williams completed her high school education at Needham High School in Massachusetts, graduating in 1983. She then went on to attend the United States Naval Academy, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Science in 1987. She also owns a master’s degree in engineering management from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Sunita Williams’s incredible journey into space began in 1998 when NASA selected her as an astronaut. After years of intense training, she finally launched into space for the first time in December 2006, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, heading to the International Space Station (ISS).
Throughout her career, Williams has made many records and won many awards. She became the first person to run a marathon in space, completing the Boston Marathon on a treadmill aboard the ISS.
In another stunning feat, she set the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman at the time, spending 195 days in orbit—a title she held until 2017. Further, she has logged more than 322 days in space, making her one of the most seasoned female astronauts in history.
She has completed seven spacewalks, spending over 50 hours floating in the vastness of space. In January 2025, Sunita Williams set a new record by clocking 62 hours 6 minutes in spacewalking. This way she has left behind the previous title owner Peggy Whitson. Sunita Williams now ranks fourth on NASA’s all-time list for spacewalking hours.
In 2012, during another mission to the ISS, she took on a different kind of challenge—becoming the first person to complete a triathlon in space. She “swam” using resistance exercises, cycled on a stationary bike, and ran on a treadmill, all while being harnessed to prevent floating away.
As an acknowledgement of her efforts and contribution, Williams has received many rewards as well- including the Navy Commendation Medal, the NASA Spaceflight Medal, and India’s prestigious Padma Bhushan in 2008.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally set to return to Earth. According to NASA’s schedule. While their return marks a significant milestone, their prolonged stay in space has exposed them to several physiological changes. Spending extended time in space takes a serious toll on the human body, and Williams and Wilmore can face several health challenges as they readjust to life on Earth.
From weaker muscles and fragile bones to dizziness and even “baby feet,” their return will come with a tough recovery period. So, what exactly happens to the body after a long stay in space, and how do astronauts overcome these challenges…….!
Health Challenges Astronauts may face after a ‘Long Space Mission’:
One of the lesser-known but significant post-space health challenges is the condition known as ‘baby feet.’ This phenomenon makes walking extremely uncomfortable for astronauts upon their return to Earth.
In space, astronauts float instead of walking, which means their feet are not subjected to the usual pressure and friction they experience on Earth. Over time, the thick calluses on the soles of their feet, which protect against daily wear and tear, begin to soften and peel off. This results in sensitive and smooth soles, much like those of a baby.
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Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.
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